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Stone Shows Support For Paladino

Carl Paladino may have a powerful ally in his quest to oust the current Republican Leadership in both houses of the state Legislature. During a book a signing in Paladino’s hometown Thursday night, well known political operative Roger Stone seemed to back Paladino’s efforts.

“I think it’s unlikely the legislative leaders will step down from their incredibly lucrative positions where they don’t have to disclose their outside income. Although I agree with Carl Paladino, they certainly should be forced to do that,” said Stone.

Stone was in Williamsville signing copies of his book “The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ.” The event was not only held at a building owned by Paladino’s Ellicott Development, Paladino was on the guest list.

Paladino has been lukewarm about the prospects of mounting another run for governor in 2014. But he has made it clear he’ll challenge the Republican endorsed candidate on the Conservative line if they don’t join his efforts to remove Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb.

“I think Carl is healthy in that he keeps the party honest. He’s kind of the party’s conservative anchor and you can’t win with just the conservatives, but you can’t win without the conservatives,” Stone said.

While Paladino continues to mull a re-match against Cuomo, several of his political allies are trying to recruit one of Stone’s friends, another bigname businessman, to run. Two Western New York assemblymen were part of group of Republicans who met with Donald Trump in New York City Wedenesday.

“I know some people over there. In fact, Roger (Stone) helped me make the meeting and it turned out to be a lot more than we expected,” said political strategist Michael Caputo.

Caputo, Stone’s protégé, ran Paladino’s 2010 gubernatorial campaign. Even after the meeting Caputo admitted convincing the real estate mogul to run for Governor will be a tough sell.

“I do believe the notion of Trump running for governor is still more of a fantasy than a reality, but it’s something he’s strongly considering. I think he was firmly in the no column when we asked for the meeting and yesterday, he told us after the meeting, he was in the maybe column. I’m not sure we’re going to get him to the yes column, but it’s a long drawn out process and something he has to talk to his family about over the holidays,” Caputo said.

Stone, who said he wasn’t directly involved in Wednesday’s meeting, believes Trump has his eye on something bigger, but he applauded the recruitment effort.

“I think Mr. Trump has made it pretty clear that he’s not interested in running for Governor although he has been a critic of the current administration. He’s certainly a proponent for fracking. He’s a proponent for tax reduction and job creation,” Stone said.

Whether a Republican candidate for governor would abide by Paladino’s demands remains to be seen, but Stone seemed to suggest they should at least listen.

“The party’s regular wing and the Tea Party wing have to come together. A divided Republican party, particularly in a blue state like this, would have no prospect.”

No matter who faces Cuomo in 2014, even Stone knows they’ll be facing an uphill battle.

“I would have to concede that Governor Cuomo looks very strong right now. He’s got $30 Million in the bank,” Stone added.

I am of the opinion that in the event Paladino were to take another run for Governor and only were to seek the Conservative Line, that he would end up with the GOP Line as well if he were to collect signatures and force a primary. this of course assuming that he even is serious about running in the first place, which remains to be seen. I wonder what the man is willing to put up financially after his relative large loss last time around. If he were able to muster up 15 million dollars of his own cash and raise another 5 or so million he could give Cuomo a real challenge. Cuomo is looking to pick a new Lt. Governor from where else, Paladino’s backyard which is near proof that he and his political shop see him as a real threat this time around. Paladino should take a serious look at Rob Astorino for the number two spot on the ticket as he plays well downstate which was reinforced by his big reelection win as county executive in November. Regardless of what happens, its sure to be an interesting year ahead politically with the thought of Paladino, Trump or Astorino challenging Cuomo, all three can beat him and if they somehow aligned they would be a force to be reckoned with that’s for sure…